2023 $1 1923 Half Penny 100th Anniversary Tribute 1oz Silver Proof Coin

2023 $1 1923 Half Penny 100th Anniversary Tribute 1oz Silver Proof CoinThe 1923 Half Penny, like the 1930 Penny, is a coin shrouded in mystery.Exactly why it is so scarce is difficult to establish, but the fact remains that this copper icon must indeed have been struck in the tiniest of numbers.The key to Australia's 1911-64 Half Penny Series, the 1923 Half Penny is rightly considered to be a great Australia rarity.Records show that 1,113,600 coins were struck in 1923, this rarity along with the 1930 Penny was only noticed at the changeover to decimal currency in the late 1960's that people began to realise the scarcity of this date.The 1923 Half Penny is missing from most collections, and numismatists began to explore possible explanations for the scarcity. The most likely explanation for the rarity of the date is that the Melbourne Mint experienced difficulties with it's 1923 dies.Three sets of dies were created to strike the 1923 Half Penny following an order for halfpence from the Commonwealth in July 1923. One set was faulty and immediately rejected, the other two sets used by the mint also had faults - as evidenced by the huge percentage of 1923-dated halfpence bearing die-cracks.It is thought that the dies failed early in the piece, that only a limited number of coins in fulfilment of the Commonwealth order. Due to these technical difficulties they would not have been used to strike coins dated 1923 into the next year.The actual mintage of the 1923 Half Penny will never be know, most authorities estimate that no more than 15,00 were struck, with significantly less in existence today.This release is sure to be of interest to pre-decimal and decimal collectors alike, this precious metal proof coin is - like the original 1923 Half Penny - enjoyed by the privileged few, with only 999 coins being minted.Issued as Niue Legal tender, each coin is housed in a plush case along with a Certificate of AuthenticityDenomination:    $1Metal:                99.9% Pure Silver with 24-carat gold platingFinish:                ProofMintage:             999Authenticity:       Certificate of Authenticity